The long-discussed live-action film based on Nintendo’s legendary video game series, The Legend of Zelda, now has a confirmed streaming home. Netflix has secured exclusive global streaming rights to the movie as part of a major new deal with Sony Pictures. The film will first debut in theaters worldwide on May 7, 2027, and will later become available to stream exclusively on Netflix following its theatrical and home video release periods.
The Netflix and Sony Pictures Global Streaming Deal
On January 15, 2026, Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced a landmark, multi-year licensing agreement. This deal makes Netflix the exclusive global “Pay-1” home for Sony’s feature films after they finish their runs in theaters and on home video platforms like Blu-ray and digital purchase. A “Pay-1” window is the first period when a movie becomes available on a subscription streaming service after leaving cinemas.
This new agreement is notable for its global reach. While Netflix already had similar Pay-1 rights for Sony films in certain countries like the United States and Germany, this pact expands that access to members in over 190 countries worldwide. The rollout of this global service will begin gradually through 2026, with full implementation expected by early 2029.
The Legend of Zelda movie was highlighted as one of the key upcoming titles included in this deal. Other major films mentioned were Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, a series of four Beatles biopics from director Sam Mendes, and The Nightingale.
โOur members all over the world love movies and giving them exclusive access to Sonyโs much loved films adds incredible value to their subscriptions,โ said Lauren Smith, Vice President of Licensing and Programming Strategy at Netflix.
Release Timeline: When to Watch The Legend of Zelda Movie
For fans eager to experience the adventure in Hyrule, here is the expected release path for the film:
- Theatrical Release: The movie is scheduled to hit cinemas globally on Friday, May 7, 2027. This date was a slight delay from an initial March 2027 target, which Shigeru Miyamoto stated would allow the team “to make the film as good as it can be”.
- Home Video Release: After the theatrical window, the film will be released for purchase on physical media (like 4K Blu-ray and DVD) and for digital rental or purchase. This confirms that a streaming subscription will not be the only way to own the movie permanently.
- Netflix Streaming Debut: Following the home video window, the film will become available to stream globally on Netflix. An exact date for its Netflix arrival is not yet set, as it depends on the length of the prior release windows, but it is expected to land on the service within the 2028-2029 timeframe.
Cast and Creative Team Behind the Live-Action Adaptation
Nintendo officially confirmed the two lead actors for this ambitious project in July 2025.
Bo Bragason, a 21-year-old actress known for her role in the Netflix series Renegade Nell, will play Princess Zelda. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who starred in Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor, will play the hero, Link. The first official photos of the actors in costume, released in November 2025, show them in a natural, grassy setting, with Bragason in a blue dress and Ainsworth in a dark green tunic reminiscent of Link’s classic outfit.
The film is being directed by Wes Ball, known for directing the Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The screenplay is written by T.S. Nowlin, who also worked with Ball on the Maze Runner films. The production is a major collaboration, produced by Nintendo’s iconic creator Shigeru Miyamoto and veteran film producer Avi Arad, known for his work on many Marvel films.
In past interviews, Wes Ball has shared his vision for the film, wanting it to feel like a real and serious fantasy movie.
โI want to fulfill people’s greatest desires,โ Ball said. โI know it’s important, this franchise, to people, and I want it to be a serious movie. A real movie that can give people an escapeโฆ [It has] to feel like something real. Something serious and cool but fun and whimsical.โ
Production Details and Filming Status
Principal photography for the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie began in November 2025. Filming is taking place in Wellington, New Zealand, a location famous for its use in epic fantasy films like The Lord of the Rings. Production is expected to continue through April 2026.
The story will be based on Nintendo’s beloved fantasy series, which typically follows Link and Princess Zelda as they battle the demon king Ganon to save the kingdom of Hyrule. Specific plot details or which game’s story will be adapted remain tightly under wraps by Nintendo.
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A Long History of Attempted Zelda Adaptations
The journey to bring The Legend of Zelda to screens has been decades long. As far back as 2007, a company named Imagi Animation Studios pitched a computer-animated Zelda film to Nintendo, but it was not accepted. This was largely due to Nintendo’s caution after the negative reception of the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. movie.
The most famous previous attempt happened in 2015. The Wall Street Journal reported that Netflix was developing a live-action Zelda television series. However, reports suggest that the news leak itself caused Nintendo to stop development on that project. The new film deal with Netflix represents a full-circle moment for the streaming service and the property.
The success of 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie clearly paved the way for Nintendo to confidently move forward with more film projects. A sequel to that film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, is scheduled for 2026. The Zelda film is a cornerstone of Nintendo’s stated plan to release a steady series of movies based on its game franchises.
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